A lovely old farmhouse with real style

"The house and gardens (and magical tent) are every bit as spectacular as the photos suggest, you won't be in the least bit disappointed with them. When we arrived we were given a brief informative tour and directions to the nearest markets and towns by the owners. The fridge was already full though with enough snacky food to keep us going for 24 hours though so all we had to do was drop our bags and relax, what a joy. The joy just didn't stop, the house is so roomy you'll soon find your favourite spot, the house is just made for relaxing and switching off. Small towns and markets are close by if you need them, but we hardly made it out of the gates, we didn't need anything else! I'll be totally honest and say that before we went, we'd been a tiny bit nervous about the owners being on site. The emails we exchanged prior to arriving were always promptly and courteously answered, there was no difficulty there, it's just that we're quite private people and were looking forward to a bit of solitude. But we needn't have worried, they both are consummate professionals and it shows. It shows in everything from the decor, the kitchen utensils and spices provided (enough to keep a keen cook happy), the gardens which were ours to roam and most of all their absolute invisibility except when they were needed. We honestly can't fault them, they managed to be around when an orange juicer needed replacing (within minutes we had another one, that's how well organised they are) and to tell us about some local festivals, but that was it, the rest of the time the house, the tent, the pool and the gardens were ours to enjoy in peace. A truly wonderful holiday and we're very grateful to them for sharing their beautiful house with us"

Unknown (Sep 2016)

"We stayed at ZX37 for two blissful weeks this summer. As a family, we enjoy getting to know and explore different countries, and this was our first - and hopefully not last - holiday in Spain. In fact, our adult son, who loves to travel to new places each year, said that this was one place he would definitely choose to return to. The accommodation itself could not be faulted. Lovingly restored by the owners, Kathryn and Donald, to its traditional charm, the villa met all our needs, and more. Eating outside each day was such a treat, soaking up the warmth and marvelling at the beautiful setting - the cortijo's own grounds, with the magnificent mountains beyond. Plenty of shade too, in the heat of the day. Then, of course, there was the pool area, which we returned to late afternoon most days, to relax following daily excursions and before our evening meal. This property could not be more conveniently located. Approximately 40 minutes' drive from Malaga airport, yet it seemed a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the coastal resorts. Set in peaceful surroundings, with olive trees as far as the eye could see, our accommodation was still only a short drive from neighbouring towns such as Archidona, Antequera and Rio Frio, with their interesting buildings, market squares, shops, nooks and crannies and selection of good restaurants. Easy access, too, to the Malaga-Granada motorway and to the high-speed railway line near Antequera, where we hopped on trains to Ronda and to Cordoba. The Alhambra in Granada and the La Mezquita in Cordoba are wonders to behold. We also enjoyed walking in the unusual terrain of the El Torcal mountain area. The owners were so welcoming and interesting to talk with - always available nearby, yet offering us complete privacy. We also found the Spanish people we met when we were out and about to be friendly and helpful too. Would love to return to this property - perhaps at a different time of year, to see its beauty in a different light."

Unknown (Aug 2016)

"It was our third time to visit the place we've come to know as paradise villa, so needless to say we love it and couldn't recommend it highly enough. I've been here with friends, and family and loved it each time. The house itself is beautiful and everything you could need or want is provided. The grounds are simply stunning, the pool, the BBQ area (which is my screen saver on my pc in work!) the tent, the boules court....the pictures simply don't do it justice. The villa is also fabulously situated if you can drag yourself away for a day trip; The owners are wonderful hosts to boot. What can I say, I'll be back again!"

Unknown (Jul 2016)

"From the moment we were approaching the villa, we couldn't stop smiling because it was so breathtakingly beautiful. We received such a lovely, warm welcome from the owners - we knew that this was going to be just perfect. And it proved to be the case, in every single respect. They had left us a wonderful selection of tapas and a delightful bottle of Rioja, which was very much appreciated after our long journey. The villa was delightful, full of character from the old beams in the bedrooms to the beautiful decor. It was so apparent that the villa had been lovingly and painstakingly restored. It was scrupulously clean and all mod. cons provided - powerful showers, well-equipped kitchen, very comfortable lounge area. In all, a real home from home. The grounds were absolutely stunning - from cactus to palm trees to roses and rosemary bushes and then, to top it all, the eclectic mix of garden decor, the eye catching Moroccan tent, hammocks, barbecue area under the beautiful old Spanish oak tree ... The list is endless. The piece de la resistance (although hard to choose, because there were so many!) was the wonderful infinity pool - with the view stretching to the mountains - cypress and olive trees being the only break to that exquisite view. The weather was fantastic - we took full advantage of the very well-equipped pool area - sun loungers (six, although only two of us!) and parasols, cooling outdoor shower etc. We ate every evening outdoors; we were spoil for choice with there being three areas for dining. Although we had every intention of eating out, we simply couldn't drag ourselves away from this beautiful haven of peace, eating to the sounds of the birds and geckos and watching the stunning tableau change as the sun sank down ... The owners were so intuitive to our needs - we were seeking privacy and peace but we knew that they were there to give us tips, heads-up of local events of interest to us. We had the best of both worlds, thanks to them. The villa's location was ideal: Seville, Cordoba, Grenada, the coast (just to mention a few) all within easy reach but, as mentioned above, the property was more than perfect for us. We can't wait to return. "

Previous Guest (Jun 2016)

"Imagine a place where everything you can imagine is real... Only exists in Picasso's imagination you say? That's what we thought... until we found this place.
Pure beauty, peace and calm. Fantastic hideaway, be it as a couple seeking a love nest in solitude or be it as a family (as we were) playing around in the immense and wonderfully established grounds (couple of hectares), amazing swimming pool, breathtaking views,... One of our fondest memories is the perfect heaven of stars in the evening/night, when spotting a falling star is like childsplay. We had a fantastic stay there and, need it said, I cannot recommend this place highly enough... "

Previous Guest (Jul 2015)

"Just what we were looking for, lovely surroundings, the property is comfortable and cared for, Peace and Quiet is what we were looking for and that is what we got. The owners are lovely, helpful and unobtrusive. "

Previous Guest (Jun 2015)

"What makes this property so special for me is the peace and quiet, the space of the grounds, the truly beautiful house, and the wonderful owners who go to so much trouble to ensure their guests are happy without being at all intrusive (a rare skill). "

Previous Guest (Jun 2015)

"We have just returned from ZX37, having spent a week there with family. The owners were the most perfect hosts and went out of their way to make us feel welcome (some of our party joined us at very short notice and they couldn't have been more accommodating). The house is very comfortable and is beautifully decorated with lots of character and lovely touches which make it a unique place to stay. The extensive grounds and gardens of the Cortijo are amazing with wonderful views towards the mountains and surrounding olive groves. So much thought has gone into planning the gardens with lovely places to sit and appreciate the beautiful scenery. There is even a Bedouin tent which is a gorgeous place to relax in and escape the midday heat or sip a cocktail or two! The infinity pool is really wonderful, again with great views out towards the mountains - a wonderful place to while away the afternoons. It is well placed to visit all the great sites of Andalucia, e.g. Granada, Cordoba, Malaga and the coast, etc.. However, on this holiday we really didn't want to go far as the villa is such a great place to be. We would highly recommend ZX37 - one of the best places we have stayed in"

Previous Guest (Sep 2014)

Bedrooms

Three (two doubles, one twin bedded).

Pool

Private swimming pool

11 m x 6 m, 0.70 m - 2.0 m deep.

Location

In open countryside, 6 km from Villanueva del Rosario in the Antequera region (Province of Málaga).

Price

Rustic character

With its restored beams, uncovered stone walls, antique furnishings and original paintings, this old farmhouse has real charm and character.

Situated in an area of marvellous natural beauty, amidst rolling hills punctuated by olive groves, almond trees and pine forests, and with distant mountains as a backdrop, this 100 year old Hispano-Moorish farm is a charmingly restored rural hideaway.

In days gone by, this pretty annexe was a bakery. Now extensively refurbished, the bread oven carefully restored, it retains its authentic rustic character.

The decoration reflects the owners appreciation of the inherent traditional style of the farmhouse, as well as their interest in world travel.

They have beautifully restored the beams in all the rooms, uncovered stone walls and finished it all off with rustic and antique furnishings and original paintings.

Eleven acres of extensive grounds surround the property which are shared with the owners (who live just behind the farmhouse). The carefully tended and richly planted gardens are a special delight.

A perfect holiday

"It is a magnificent property which is beautifully kept and furnished. Donald and Katherine were perfect hosts and and the way they prepared and kept the villa, added to their hospitality, made our holiday perfect".

Jasmine, honeysuckle, roses and other climbers clamber over a pergola, creating an intimate tunnel access to the pool area which overlooks the beautiful hills and countryside all around.

Plenty of these outside spaces are reserved for the exclusive use of guests staying here. These include a large terrace, a barbecue area, a covered al fresco eating area (with an antique dining table) and the gorgeous infinity swimming pool (11 m x 6 m), floodlit at night, with large sun decks on three sides.

A desert tent in the grounds is not only ideal for meditation, yoga and private events but is also a great place just to chill out or take a relaxing meal.

Guests are free to use the tent at any time during their stay, and enjoy it in any way they want to. Indian head massage, pedicure, aroma therapy and lymphatic drainage treatments can be arranged on request (but need to be booked well in advance).

Farmhouse-style

Furnishings and decoration reflect the traditional style of the farmhouse perfectly, enhanced by lovely pieces collected on travels across the globe.

Inside, on the ground floor, there's a lovely old farmhouse-style country kitchen / diner equipped with a gas hob, small electric oven, microwave, washing machine, fridge freezer, espresso machine, toaster and electric kettle. It also features a pine dresser, an old pine dining table, chairs and a bench seat.

The huge, restored bread oven is, of course, the focal point in the dining area which is attractively decorated with farmhouse implements and attractive Moroccan bowls hung on the walls.

The living room is equally charming and comfortable, with rustic settees and chairs grouped around the wood burning stove nestled within the stone fireplace.

It has a small library, board games, satellite TV, DVD and VCR, Radio/CD player, a selection of CD's, DVD's and videos. There's WiFi internet connection too.

A great stay

"They are the most welcoming people. The villa, grounds and pool are amazing, you feel you have your own kingdom to play in".

Also on the ground floor is one of the double bedrooms, decorated in an understated oriental style. The shower room / WC. is acroos the living room.

The romantic master bedroom is upstairs, with its high beamed ceilings, lovely four-poster double bed, window and balcony which enjoy the amazing view over the grounds to the mountains beyond....It is ideal but just a little care must be taken on entering the room - the door is the original and it is low!

There is also a large twin bedroom on this floor, this one decorated in Mexican style, with wrought iron beds and an antique walnut wardrobe. It offers equally lovely views over the gardens and surrounding hills.

Between the two upstairs bedrooms is a well appointed shower room.

The owners house is adjacent to and behind the holiday home. Always discrete and conscious of guests wish for privacy, they will nevertheless be more than happy to provide you with recommendations about what to do, where to go and to ensure that your stay is the most enjoyable possible.

Close at hand

If you want to venture further, magnificent landscapes, Mediterranean beaches and the historic cities of Andalucia are all close at hand.

The villa is strategically situated, just 35 minutes north from Málaga airport, between the lovely old Andaluz towns of Archidona and Antequera (15 and 30 minutes away respectively).

Quite apart from offering secluded relaxation and country rambling, from here you have the opportunity to visit all the great Moorish heritage cities of Andalucía, as it is located just an hour away from Granada, and little more than 90 minutes from Córdoba, Sevilla and Ronda.

Within easy reach of the amazing nature of El Torcal, unique in Europe, it is, nevertheless, only 45 minutes away from the beaches - and golf courses - of the Costa del Sol.

There's lots more beauty close at hand, too: the Montes de Málaga, El Chorro, Guadalteba Lake (and its narrow pass, Los Gaitanes) all offer an incredible variety of topography and natural wealth.

Nearby villages with all local amenities are reached by car within ten minutes; Both Archidona and Antequera have major supermarkets and shopping malls.

Outdoor activities which are available and which can be booked are cycling (there is one bicycle available at the house), quad biking, mountain hikes and horse riding. There are also golf courses which can be reached within 30 minutes drive.

As one of our clients said, "this property far exceeded the expectations of myself and my family. It is a magnificent property which is beautifully kept and furnished. Your web site said 'extensive garden' but this was actually five acres which would be better described as enormous. Donald and Katherine were perfect hosts and the way they prepared and kept the villa, added to their hospitality, made our holiday perfect."

Another commented, "can I also say what a great stay we had at the villa. They are the most welcoming people, the villa, the grounds and pool are amazing, you feel you have your own kingdom to play in when you're there. The photos on your web site don't do it justice!"

Villa Details

The Villa in Detail

All the facts and features about this villa

Distribution

Ground floor

Living room

Kitchen / dining room

1 double bedroom

Shower room / W.C.

Covered dining terrace

Garden & grounds

First floor

2 bedrooms :

1 double

1 twin bedded

Shower room / W.C.

Facilities

Entertainment

Satellite TV (UK Channel Information)This property has a Freeview box but due to changes to the UK satellite services currently does not receive UK terrestrial programmes, BBC, ITV etc. We will provide updates if this situation changes.

DVD

Radio / CD Player

Selection of CD's and DVD's

Books (including children's books) and board games

Boules Court

WiFi Internet (bring your own laptop)

Amenities

Wood burner (in the open fireplace) in the living room

Electric radiators and panel heaters throughout

Fans in all bedrooms

Washing Machine, Tumble dryer (on request), Iron & board

All linen is provided (pool towels are available on request)

Hair dryer

Cot, highchair and baby bath available (on request). Cot linen is not supplied

Notes

Weather permitting, the swimming pool will be open throughout the year (although, because it's not heated, the normal swimming season is from late April to September, inclusive)

Price includes an initial load of firewood for the wood burner. Further wood can be purchased locally as required (owner can assist with this).

Electric heating is included in the price during winter months

The owners house is adjacent to the holiday villa. They share the grounds and gardens with clients but all other facilities described above (including the pool) are for the exclusive use of the clients

Please note that they have a few dogs and cats (and a couple of horses) which are kept in a separate area within the owners property

Rentals for this property normally run from Saturday to Saturday in summer months

ZX 37

Notes

Price includes an initial load of firewood for the wood burner. Further wood can be purchased locally as required (owner can assist with this).

Security Deposit

A 250 Euro security deposit is required on each booking. This is held against your credit or debit card and will be cancelled one week after your holiday, subject to any reductions for breakages or damage. See Terms and Conditions for full details.

Nearest Airports

See our Links Page for web sites of airlines traveling to Andalucia from the UK.

Around and About

This is an excellent base from which to explore this delightful and very beautiful part of Andalucía.

Excursions

Nature lovers will be drawn to El Torcal, a magnificent 1,100 hectare National Park of massive, Mars-like mountains of eroded rock formations. Here the imagination plays tricks as giants, monsters and castles seem to appear before your eyes.

Unique in Europe, this dreamy, surrealistic landscape has inspired generations of artists and film makers as well as climbers, walkers and nature lovers. Rare birds of prey, Spanish ibex and wild orchids are just some of the attractions. The sunsets are a bit special too.

To the south-west lies an area of mountains, pine and eucalyptus forests cut by wide river valleys, of which the Río Guadalhorce is the most well known, a land of small farms, fertile fields and rural villages. This is the region known as El Chorro and the Lake District of Ardales.

The scenery in the higher reaches of the valley, just to the north of Álora, is dramatic. Garganta del Chorro is a huge natural gorge, 180 metres high, three kilometres long, spanned by an ancient iron bridge. It offers some very challenging rock climbing, walking and hang-gliding and is a favourite place for the extreme sport set.

A dam at the head of the gorge has created Andalucía's very own Lake District, three turquoise blue lakes bordered by pine forests. This is an altogether more tranquil retreat, a place to swim, fish and canoe or just to picnic by the lake shore or enjoy a glass of wine and a bite to eat at a local taverna.

Wonderful terrain for walkers, too, with shaded paths through oak forests and olive groves and gentler, scenic routes along the shores of the lakes.

To the north west of Antequera, the flat agricultural lands yield up to Andalucia's largest natural lake, Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, also know as "The Pink Lagoon" because it is the only inland breeding ground of pink flamingos outside of Africa.

To the south and west of Antequera, La Sierra de las Nives (literally, the mountains of the snows) is, some would argue, the most beautiful National Park in all Andalucía. It is certainly one of Spain's richest natural enclaves, now protected by UNESCO with Biosphere Reserve status.

It's most prized treasure is the Spanish fir tree, an almost extinct relic of the Ice Age. It is also famous for its potholes, including the third deepest in the world, a mere 1,098 metres! Many are still to be explored.

Immediately beyond Colmenar, take the wonderful road through Las Montes de Málaga which winds through the forested hillsides down to the coast. Remote and peaceful, it's a gentle, hilly area criss-crossed by streams which have carved small valleys, extensively planted with pine trees and ancient Mediterranean species too, holm oak, corks and carib trees, making it an ideal habitat for the chameleons and other protected species of wildlife and birds of prey which reside here. The lovely scenery, and some great views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea below, can also be enjoyed on any one of numerous walking routes through the Park.

For "civilisation" look no further than Antequera, a very pretty town with an almost medieval air and a history to match. It's so much more than just another sleepy, sun-soaked 'pueblo' of Southern Spain.

For seaside destinations you are spoiled for choice. To the east of Málaga there's Torre del Mar, still very Spanish in character, and Nerja a little further along the coast offering 16 kilometres of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water.

To the west of Málaga, try the resort towns of Estepona and Marbella. Estepona is a little quieter than most of the Mediterranean resorts and still retains some of its old, fishing village character. The same cannot be said of Marbella, but if you want to check out what the beautiful people are doing, with their designer shops and jet-set marinas, or just enjoy the sparkling sun, sand and sea, this is the place to be.

Granada is, of course, a must-see city. Soaring high above is the spectacular back drop of the snow-covered Sierra Nevada mountains. And what a city lies below, a city of classical beauty, the jewel in the Spanish Crown.

You are not far from the motorway network which links Sevilla, Málaga, Granada and Córdoba so all the great cities of Andalucía are easy to get to from here. Ronda too.

The world is your oyster!

Activities

Outdoor activities which are available and which can be booked are cycling, quad biking, mountain hikes and horse riding.

For golf enthusiasts, many speak very highly of the course at Antequera (just 30 minutes away). And there are many more to choose from on the coast.

All major water sports are also available on the Costa del Sol including water skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing.

The Area

Around Antequera

At the crossroads of Andalucia, here you will find landscapes of striking beauty that have inspired generations of artists … Read more

Archidona

At the very centre of Andalucia, 660 metres above sea level, this thriving little town (pop: 10,000) is at the meeting point of east and west Andalucia …